Brewing Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the Small Independent Brewers Association regarding the implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations from the Small Independent Brewers' Association since 1 May 1990, when the measures to ensure that tenants of the major brewers were free to take a guest beer came into effect. Specific complaints should be put to the Office of Fair Trading.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet a delegation of the Small Independent Brewers Association to discuss the tactics of the big five breweries against Small Independent Breweries Association products since the implementation of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report.

I should be happy to consider any request for a meeting. However the Director General of Fair Trading is monitoring compliance with the measures we have introduced, and it is important that any evidence of anti-competitive behaviour is passed to his office.